Multiboard with directional qualities

ABSTRACT

A novel multiboard with a board shape and handle to provide directional qualities. The handle may be pivotally mounted to permit a lowered formation, for compact storage, and a raised formation extending upward from the top surface of the board. The handle may be adjustable to vary in length to accommodate the rider&#39;s height. The rider may pull the handle to flex the multiboard and may balance against the handle to shift the rider&#39;s weight to change the direction of the multiboard&#39;s movement. Additionally, the handle may assist newer riders in maintaining balance and the proper direction as they are developing their skills.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Skimboarding is a relatively new sporting activity. Skimboarding competitions, featuring challenges for longest distance, greatest leaps, or most elaborate rides over obstacles have become very popular.

A skimboard is a generally flat board with perhaps an upturned front edge. A rider generally runs with or to the skimboard, leaps upon it, and allows it to skim over shallow water. More adventurous riders have taken skimboarding from shallow water to damp sand to damp grasses.

Known skimboards are difficult to control. Operating on the principles of hydroplaning, they may slide sideways or spin out when the rider tries accelerate. The rider can try to control the skimboard motion such actions as dragging the rider's hand on ground or shifting the rider's weight over the board.

Skimboarding appeals to a variety of riders, both new riders who are developing their skills, and more experienced riders who want to push even further the limits of their ride.

There is a need for an improved multiboard which can function both as a multiboard on shallow waters and as a ride-on board on other surfaces such as snow.

There is a need for an improved multiboard with a shape which helps the rider control the trajectory of the multiboard. Such an improved multiboard would enhance the rider's experience by maximizing the multiboard's interactions with the water or other medium over which it travels.

There is also a need for an improved multiboard with an handle which allows the rider to turn and flex the multiboard, and leverage the rider's weight against the momentum of the multiboard. Such an improved multiboard would enhance the rider's ability to extend the ride, and to perform stunts such as jumping and spinning with the board.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a novel multiboard with a handle to provide directional qualities. The multiboard has a length and a width, a top surface and a bottom surface. A handle is mounted to the top surface. The handle in a raised formation extends from a point on the top surface and generally perpendicularly from the top surface. The handle may also be adjustable to vary in length to accommodate the rider's height. The handle may be pivotally mounted to permit a lowered formation, wherein the handle extends from a point on the top surface and generally parallel to the top surface. The rider may pull the handle to flex the multiboard and may balance against the handle to shift the rider's weight to change the direction of the multiboard's movement. Additionally, the handle may assist newer riders in maintaining balance and the proper direction as they are developing their skills.

The addition of the handle to this board gives the rider the ability to pick up the board with one hand, run with it and set it in water or on snow and step or jump on for a ride. Once the rider is moving, the rider can kick off of the ground to accelerate. The rider can then pick up the board before coming to a stop, run to another wave or slope, and step on again.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a novel multiboard with tapering to provide directional control. The multiboard has a length greater than its width. The multiboard has a leading edge, a central portion, and a trailing edge. The width of the trailing edge is narrower than a width of the central portion. The rider shifts the rider's weight to various positions on the multiboard to maximize the tapering angles to either of the edges.

The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of multiboard with directional qualities according to the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the invention will be illustrated by way of example.

It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the multiboard with directional qualities.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the multiboard with directional qualities.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a linkage between the multiboard and handle.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of another linkage embodiment between the multiboard and handle.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged front view of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a novel multiboard with a handle to provide directional qualities. The handle allows a multiboard rider a greater degree of control such as by allowing the rider to shift the rider's weight front to back and side to side, altering the trajectory of the multiboard's movement. The handle also allows the rider to flex the multiboard, usually by lifting the leading edge, to allow the rider to attempt jumps and spins and maximize the duration of a ride. The handle further allows the novice rider some directional control when first learning how to propel the multiboard. The handle also allows the rider to lift the multiboard in the air and run with it then set it down so the rider can easily step or jump onto it. It can invert over the leading edge of the multiboard to allow the rider to pull the multiboard behind him, bring the multiboard up while running to step on, and have a friend ride on the multiboard while being pulled. The handle also allows for easy of transportation of the board, allowing the rider to pull the board, such as up a slope, rather than having to carry it.

The multiboard has a length and a width, a top surface and a bottom surface. The multiboard has a leading edge, a central portion, and a trailing edge. The multiboard has a length greater than its width. It is symmetrical about a central axis between the leading edge and trailing edge.

In a preferred embodiment, the leading edge tapers to a leading point. The central portion is at least wide enough for a rider to stand facing the leading edge. The edges of the central portion taper toward the trailing edge in what may be a parabolic curve. The width of the trailing edge is narrower than a width of the central portion.

The trailing edge of the multiboard may have one of several different shapes, including a radius curved edge, a swallow tail, a flat edge, and an edge with “V” cuts which enhance water flow and performance.

In the preferred embodiment, the multiboard has a thickness measured from the top surface to the bottom surface which is less than that of a traditional surfboard, which thickness is usually around ¾″-⅝″, and generally less than ⅞″. In alternate embodiments, the thickness may be as great as 1½″ where the multiboard has an additional layer of foam to aid in floatation.

In a preferred embodiment, both the leading edge and the trailing edge of the multiboard are curved upward. This shape allows for directional water flow without the use of fins or grooves.

Grooves may be added to the bottom surface of the multiboard for further directional control and breaking water suction on the bottom.

Additionally, the bottom surface may have a concave shape for a least a portion of the length of the multiboard to create a cushion of water which maximizes a rider's ability to ride in very shallow water. In this embodiment, the concave shape would preferentially be located nearer the leading edge of the board approximately under the location where the rider would normally stand.

In a preferred embodiment, a handle is detachably mounted to the top surface. The mounting member may be of known configuration.

The handle in a raised formation extends from a point on the top surface and generally perpendicularly from the top surface. The handle may also be adjustable to vary in length to accommodate the rider's height. The handle may be pivotally mounted to permit a lowered formation, wherein the handle extends from a point on the top surface and generally parallel to the top surface.

In the preferred embodiment, the handle is pivotally mounted with a continuous slide hinge, to permit the rider to adjust and lock the handle at an angle between the multiboard and the position of the handle through a range of angles.

In another embodiment, the handle is pivotally mount with a hinge which permits the rider to adjust and lock the handle at limited number of positions.

The rider may pull the handle to flex the multiboard and may balance against the handle to shift the rider's weight to change the direction of the multiboard's movement. Additionally, the handle may assist newer riders in maintaining balance and the proper direction as they are developing their skills.

The rider may use the handle with one hand or with two. In a preferred embodiment, it is adjustable for height and folding for transport or storage.

The multiboard may additionally have a non-slip surface or a front foot strap for the rider's convenience. The non-slip surface may be an interchangeable traction plate for use with cleated boots or bare feet or sneakers.

FIG. 1 shows the multiboard 1 having a top surface 2 and bottom surface (not shown). The length 3 of the multiboard 1 is greater than the width 4. A leading edge 5 is shown as a tapering to a point, however those skilled in the art will appreciate that the leading edge may have alternate shapes. A trailing edge 6 is shown with a radius shape, and again, those skilled in the art will appreciate alternate shapes may be used here as discussed above or as maybe desirable.

The multiboard 1 has side edges 7 and 8 which are both shown as parabolic curves. The multiboard 1 has a handle 9 which is detachably and pivotally fixed to the top surface 2 with a linkage 10.

FIG. 2 shows linkage 10 attaching handle 9 to the top surface 2 of multiboard 1. Handle 9 is has a length adjusting member 11. The leading edge 5 has an upwardly curved rocker 12, and the trailing edge 6 has an upward curve 13.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of a multiboard 30. Multiboard 30, similar to multiboard 1, has a top surface 31 and a bottom surface (not shown). The length 32 is greater than the width 33. Referring back to FIG. 1, width 4 is proportionally less than width 33 when each is compared to its respective multiboard length 3 or 32. A leading edge 34 is shown as a tapering to a point, however those skilled in the art will appreciate that the leading edge may have alternate shapes. A trailing edge 35 is shown with a less-radiused shape that that seen in FIG. 1 for trailing edge 6, and again, those skilled in the art will appreciate alternate shapes may be used here as discussed above or as maybe desirable.

The multiboard 30 has side edges 36 and 37 which are both shown as parabolic curves. The multiboard 30 has a handle 38 which is detachably and pivotally fixed to the top surface 31 with a linkage 39.

FIG. 4 shows linkage 39 attaching handle 38 to the top surface 31 of multiboard 30. Handle 38 is has a length adjusting member 40. The leading edge 34 has an upwardly curved rocker 41. Unlike the embodiment seen in FIG. 1, here the trailing edge 35 lacks an upward curve.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 7 show alternate embodiments of the linkage between the multiboard and handle.

FIG. 5 shows linkage 50. Linkage 50 has a circular core 51 with divots 52 and 53. A handle 54 is pivotally, detachably fixed to circular core 51 by a linkage member 55. An actuator 56 located inside handle 54 rests in either divot 52 or divot 53 to lock the movement of handle 54.

FIG. 6 shows linkage 50 with handle 54 and linkage member 55.

FIG. 7 shows linkage 70. Linkage 70 has a circular core 71 with a radiused track 72. A handle 73 is pivotally, detachably fixed to circular core 71 by a linkage member 74. A brace 75 is detachably fixed to handle 73. Brace 75 includes a locking member 76 to lock the movement of handle 73 at a point along radiused track 72.

FIG. 8 shows linkage 70 with handle 73, linkage member 74, and locking member 76.

The terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoing specification are used therein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims which follow. 

1. An improved multiboard comprising: a board with a top side, a bottom side, and an upwardly curved rocker; said board further having a length which is greater than a width measured at the widest portion of said board; and further comprising a handle pivotally and detachably fixed to said top side with a linkage.
 2. The multiboard of claim 1, where said handle has a length adjustment member.
 3. The multiboard of claim 1, where said handle is rigid and bent at an angle toward a rider.
 4. The multiboard of claim 1, where said top side further comprises a non-slip surface portion.
 5. The multiboard of claim 1, where said board has at least one side which is parabolic in shape.
 6. The multiboard of claim 1, where said board has at least one side which is egg shaped.
 7. The multiboard of claim 1, where said board has at least one side which is straight.
 8. The multiboard of claim 1, where the board is comprised of fiberglass.
 9. The multiboard of claim 1, where the board is comprised of wood.
 10. The multiboard of claim 1, where the board is comprised of a polyurethane product.
 11. The multiboard of claim 1, where said linkage is a radius bar, having at least one lockage point.
 12. The multiboard of claim 1, where said radius bar has multiple lockage points.
 13. The multiboard of claim 8, where said handle is further comprised of a pinion for locking engagement with said lockage point.
 14. An improved multiboard comprising: a board with a top side, a bottom side, and an upwardly curved rocker; said board further having a length which is greater than a width measured at the widest portion of said board; and further comprising a rigid handle with a length adjustment member and a locking member, said handle being pivotally and detachably fixed to said top side with a radius bar with at least one lockage point, and said handle being bent at an angle toward a rider.
 15. The multiboard of claim 14, where said top side further consists of a non-slip surface portion.
 16. The multiboard of claim 14, where the board is comprised of fiberglass.
 17. The multiboard of claim 14, where the board is comprised of wood.
 18. The multiboard of claim 14, where the board is comprised of a polyurethane product.
 19. The multiboard of claim 14, where the handle is capable of rotating on said radius bar more than 90 degrees. 